Consents & Variances

WHEREAS, The applicant seeks a permit to install and operate a newsstand on the North East corner of West 49th Street and Seventh Avenue; and

WHEREAS, The applicant was invited but failed to attend Manhattan Community Board Five's March 1, 2012 meeting of our Consents and Variances Committee ; and

WHEREAS, There are many existing newsstands in the vicinity, including directly across 49th street at the South East corner of Seventh Avenue and West 49th Street, and on the same block at the North West Corner of West 49th Street and Avenue of the Americas, one block away at the South East corner of Seventh Avenue and West 50th Street, and others; and

WHEREAS, In addition to the many newsstands, there are multiple retail stores in the vicinity which sell similar products; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has proposed that their newsstand would measure 10'-0" wide X 6'-0" deep X 9'-0" high, and, as is typical of the newsstands that Cemusa produces, this would include advertisement panels on its external walls; and

WHEREAS, Manhattan Community Board Five feels that an addition of a sidewalk structure at this location would create negative impact upon pedestrian traffic; and

WHEREAS, Manhattan Community Board Five feels that an addition of a sidewalk structure at this location, especially one which is clad in commercial advertisements, would create a visual impediment which would hinder the public enjoyment of this vibrant neighborhood; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of the application to install a newsstand on the North East corner of West 49th Street and Seventh Avenue; and be it further

RESOLVED, Community Board Five urges the Department of Transportation to proceed with the pedestrian counts at this location during rush hour (5 PM - 6 PM) on a weekday.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 30 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.